5 Things to Avoid at Manhattan School of Music

A simple failure is one of the most efficient ways to learn a better way at doing something. But what if I told you that you won’t have to repeat your former alumni’s mistakes and still get the best out of your school life? Discover these tried and failed things that Manhattan School of Music students avoid now at all cost at this acclaimed conservatory.

1.) Not scheduling for your registration appointment when you’re supposed to.

Manhattan School of Music is probably one of the few schools that still has an in-person class registration system in this day and age of internet-dominated world. Everyone has one chance per semester to schedule an appointment with a registrar in the lobby. You will get an email two weeks in advance about how the period lasts for two days only so you better mark your calendar and get yourself down there to schedule an appointment, or you will be randomly allotted to the last days, lowering your odds of getting your desired classes. If you’re late, you may not have a spot in that popular class you really wanted to take by the time you get there! If you do have an appointment, do some research beforehand so that you know exactly what you want; and always have alternative options in case your first choices were not available.

2.) Booking your recital last minute.

Hundreds of non-required recitals and required graduation recitals happen every year, and everyone wants to do them on a weekend evening in April. The recital paperwork is available to you many months in advance for this exact reason. You can choose several possible recital dates along with your desired venues in the building in the order of your preference, and then select your priority between the date and the venue. The earlier you do this, the more flexible this process will be. Don’t leave it to the last minute and expect a perfect day to be waiting just for you; you may end up with a 5 p.m. on a Tuesday. Same rule goes for your dress rehearsal scheduling!

3.) Back seats of Greenfield Hall lectures.

My history professor once told our class that only the first five rows will get a decent mark on their exams. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but the moral of the day is to avoid the back seats if possible. Because the professors use acoustic lecture styles almost at all times (i.e., no microphone), it’s hard to hear them if you sit way back in the hall. Unlike instruments, the human voice doesn’t travel very far, and being where you can’t even hear the lecture is the opposite of the reason that you go to school. These lectures are a part of your gargantuan tuition! Get there early and sit closer to where the lecturer is.

Headed to MSM for a visit? Bring this list of things to look out for on a campus tour.

4.) The sushi rolls, cold sandwiches, and desserts sold in little fridges in the cafeteria.

No! Put that down. I repeat: do not buy any of these things. If you don’t have any choice but the cafeteria, maybe the hot grill section or even the sandwich bar will do. Or get a piece of fruit. Just don’t pick up any of those cold, pre-made sandwiches, sushi rolls, or the desserts. They’re sad, dry, definitely not fresh, tasteless, and ridiculously overpriced. They’re so expensive that being hungry is actually justified even if you haven’t eaten all day. Avoid them like the plague! You’ve been warned.

5.) Entering the school building on a pre-college Saturday.

Beware: parents and children are everywhere you look. All you need is one good look at the lobby, library, and the cafeteria.  You won’t ever want to sit down anywhere with that many people around. It’s absolutely impossible to find one empty practice room or even a seat in the library. If you’re lucky enough to find a seat, better have some serious noise-canceling headphones or earplugs, because no one will use inside voices.  Save yourself some time and trouble: try to find another place to do your work, or just take a day off.

Your academic life can be a little less stressful if you remember these! It’s already tough enough to go on with your busy schedule. Always put your time and sanity first. It’s not all bad, though. Check out how MSM students unwind after a long week.

Sara Hong is a New York City based classical pianist, teacher, translator, and writer. She graduated from Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor’s (2011), Master’s (2013), and Professional Studies degree (2014). She specializes in short stories, travel journals, good-eats recipes, and articles on performance and pedagogy.